Special Needs Travel Access to NC
ACCESS Gives the How Tos in Touring the Tar Heel State
Mar 6, 2008
ACCESS North Carolina is the travel guide, now in its 5th year of publication, specifically geared to the state's visitors with special needs and what they CAN do as opposed to what cannot be accomplished.
The Tar Heel State is broken into five geographic sections: Mountains. Foothills, Piedmont, Coastal Plain and Coast.
Each attraction is given five icons segmenting parking, entrance, indoors, outdoors and restrooms which in turn in coded to
- A. meeting the minimum accessibility requirements,
- B. being partially accessible or
- C. not having significant access.
Planning a spring or summer vacation? Whatever your interest history, shopping, botanical, nature, culinary or NASCAR all is available to everyone.
Here's a summary of places with A and B access:
MOUNTAINS
Blue Ridge Parkway (Mile Post 331)
The Museum of North Carolina Miners
Always an important occupation of the region mining and the history of minerals in the area are displayed with interesting exhibits.
Pisgah Forest
Cradle of Forestry in America Forest Discovery Center
An easy day trip from Asheville the Forest Discovery Center was set aside from the US Congress as 6,500 acreage to commemorate the beginning of forest conversation, which began 110 years ago.
FOOTHILLS
Morganton
Sam J Ervin, Jr. Library and Museum
The late US Senator has a long and distinguished career before chairing the Senate Watergate Committee in the 1970’s, which eventually brought down Richard M. Nixon’s presidency. Personal furnishings, books and other memorabilia make it seem Senator Sam has just left the room momentarily.
Hickory
Hickory Furniture Mart
Love your home? Show it by visiting over 100 factory outlets, stories and galleries dedicated to home furnishings?
PIEDMONT
Concord
Lowe's Motor Speedway
NASCAR and Lowe's go hand and hand piston to piston. Home to the NASCAR Nextel Cup among another races the speedway is open for tours, except during events. Also the Carolina Boxing Hall of Fame is located at Smith Tower.
Bear Creek
Southern Supreme Gourmet Confections.
Making life sweet is the goal of the people here. Their delectable goodies are known worldwide and a tour of the facility comes with a taste of the renowned fruitcake.
Clemmons
Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookies
Don’t like fruitcake? Then try the sugar and spice of Moravian cookies. No tours are available November and December.
Chapel Hill
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
Reach for the stars at on the country’s largest planetariums. The Star Theater teaches the wonders of the cosmos, and a massive sundial keeps perfect time.
Asheboro
American Classic Motorcycle Museum
Maybe you prefer your thrills land bound – like on a Hog. One of the largest collections of Harley Davidson motorcycles is open Mondays through Saturdays.
COASTAL PLAINS
Fayetteville
Fayetteville Museum of Art
It has it all – educational programs, special events, workshops, concerts, studio apace and more. Spring Gala is planned for May 3rd
Fort Bragg
82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum
A proud and honored history began I 1917, and continues today with the All American Division. Over 3,000 artifacts can be found at the museum.
COAST
Manteo
Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge
Over 12 miles of beach, the North Pond Trail, located near Oregon Inlet is accessible. Platforms allow for viewing the mostly migratory birds that frequent the area.
Currie
Moores Creek National Battlefield
February 27, 1776 was the day the Patriots showed their muster, the end of the royal power in the colony and headed North Carolina down the road to independence.
